Forwarding mechanism for autographic registers



t 1951 L. F. HAGEM-AN ETAL FORWARDING MECHANISM FOR AUTOGRAPHIC Rscxsmas Filed Jul ls, 1946 3 Sheets-Shet 1 NVENTOIQQS. Lou f/ggeman (fiar/es J. fianuelf Oct. 9, 1951 HAGEMAN AL 2,570,799

FORWARDING MECHANISM FOR AUTOGRAPHIC REGISTERS Filed July 13,

3 Sheet's-Sheet 2 INVENTORS. Louisjfia eman Charles ./'7anueZ 2H RH 5 Q 0d. 1951- I.., F. HAGEMAN 1:1- AL 2,570,799

FORWARDING MECHANISM FOR AUTOGRAPHIC REGISTERS Filed July 15, 1946 I s Sheets-Sheet a Patented Oct. 9, 1951 FOKWARDING MECHANISM FOR. AUTOGRAPHKC REGISTERS LouisF. HagemamLewiston; N.'.Y;, .and= Charles; J. Manue l, Durham, N. H.,..ass ignors;to;Moore. Business Forms, Inc., Niagara Ealls, Y a

corporation of Delaware Application July 13', 1946, Serial No; 683:510

14 Claims,

This-invention relates to improvements in writingmachines of the autographic register type, and more particularly toran im-proved record'strip forwardingdevice for autographic registers'of the portable type and adapted to initially move the recordstrips forwardly a short distance. afterinscriptions have been entered thereon so as to. position. the: forward end of. such strips whereby they: can be. grasped and pulled forwardly to bringianew. set of record forms thereof into writinglposition and to align and position such strips insuch position for the correct reception of inscriptions. Portable autographic registers of this type-are. usually. provided with a housin fora supply of record: strips suchas a zigzag-folded pack. and1with. a. flat writingplate or platen over which the forward end. portions of the record stripsare supportedzin writing position, and are engaged. by the forwardingv mechanism.

It.is;a.general object of. the invention to; providefor writing machines: ofi-theclass. mentioned, an improved record strip. forwarding, mechanism embodying aself-contained forwarding unit that cam-be; quickly and easilyxinstalled-or removed from operating position Without disturbing the other parts of the register structure for the pun. posesof'maliing. adjustmentsior repairs, and which moreover functions effectively for the purpose of starting-the record strips forwardly following inscription entries. and: for positioning, andv align ing; the record strips. with each other: and with the platen in correct writing position.

Another object of, the invention is to provide for'writing machines-of the; class mentioned, an improved record; strip forwarding mechanism adaptemto engage and to start the strips forwardlysfollowin inscriptions thereofgand to automatically disengage the strips after'being. thus moveda forwardly whereby. the strip engaging means. are 're-positioned' for engagement with the stripszat; adifferentpoint thereof.

Another object (of the invention iszto provide for machines ofrthe class mentioned, an improved and simplified frame structure for the record strip forwarding mechanism, and an improved structuralarrangement for supporting the projectible and retractable record strip. aligning and positioning pins' which are adapted to. engage in aligning and positioning apertures. arranged'in two longitudinal series along the record; strips.

Another object of the invention isv to provide for machines of the; class mentioned; a strip forwarding-mechanism having an improved latch!- ingdevice for-holding the forwarding mechanism in its'normalposition and 'beingreleasedby initial movement of the operating hand-le or element: of

2-. the-forwarding mechanism, andautomatically reengage'din latching position when the forward:-

ing element-isreturnefd to normal position following a strip; advancing movement thereof.

Another object isto provide for autographic registersof the-class mentioned, a strip advancingor forwarding mechanism having animproved-arrangement of the operating handle therefor wherebysaid handle is automatically positioned to avoid obstructionitothe threading of the carbon strips in operative'position over the-writing platen when'the cover of" the register is raised,- andautomatically restored to operative position when the cover is closed:

Other objects of the invention willb in part pointed out in the following detailed disclosure of an illustrative but preferred embodiment, of the inventionand'will be in part obvious as the disclosure'proceeds.

Theginvention' accordingly comprises the features of cOHStifuCtion, combination of elements, and arrangement of; parts, which will be exemplifiedj, in, the construction hereinafter set forth and the scopeof the application of which will be indicatedin' the claims.

Eoramor-e comprehensive disclosure of the nature, objects and, advantages of the invention, reference. ishadito the following detailed descrip tion and to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 isaperspectiveview ofa portable autographic register embodying the invention;

Fig. 2. is anenlarged longitudinal vertical section. taken substantially on the longitudinal center; line of, the register;

Fig, 3 1s a transverse vertical section taken substantially. on the-line:3-:3 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of. the arrows Fig. 4, is a broken plan view of the register with the-.-c overv removed and showing the platen and parts-of theforwarding mechanism in plan, parts being-removed to show structural details more clea y;

Eig;.;5 is.-a. fragmentary. side elevation showing the constru ction. and arrangement of the forwarding; mechanism, parts being brokenaway and in longitudinal-vertical section to show structural details moreclearly Eig:. 6-. .is.ga: View similar to that of Fig. 5 but showingthe. forwardingmechanism in a different operative-p i n;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical section similar to that of Fig. 2 but showing the forwarding mechanism in a different operative position;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged vertical sectional detail showing the connection of the operating handle to the operating rock-shaft; and

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary plan view on a reduced scale of one of the record strips that may be used in the autographic register.

Referring to the drawing for a detailed description of the illustrative embodiment of the invention there shown, the improved record strip forwarding mechanism is embodied in an autographic register of the portable type that can be conveniently moved from place to place as required in actual use, or can be held conveniently in the hand of the user during entry of inscriptions upon the record strips. The register has a casing for the operating elements including .a lower casing section I and an upper casing section or cover 2. The lower casing section has a bottom 3 and side walls 4, and spaced inwardly from the side walls are longitudinal structural flanged frame members or Z-bars 5, the inner lower flanges of which are connected to the bottom 3 and the upper outwardly-turned flanges form connecting members for a horizontal structural division plate 6. This arrangement provides a lower compartment for a sliding drawer l for receiving inscribed record sheets or slips and mounted for longitudinal movements from its closed position as shown in Fig. 5 into open position as shown in Fig. 6.

Mounted upon the Z-bars 5 and the division plate 6 and connected thereto by interlocking attachments 8 is a platen section 8 having an upper fiat platen or writing plate 9 and having lower outwardly extending flanges I connected to the Z-bars and the division plate 6. The side walls II of the platen section 8 are spaced inwardly from the outer side walls of the cover section 2 to form a side compartment I2 for certain parts of the forwarding mechanism, and to form an opposite side compartment I3 for receiving and housing a supply or roll I4 of transfer material such as strips C of carbon paper.

The upper or cover section 2 of the casing has side walls I5 arranged to meet and mate with the side walls 4 of the lower section, and having a top plate I6 the forward end of which is provided with a writing opening above the platen 9 through which the inscriptions are made in wellknown manner upon the record strips supported upon the platen. The front end wall I! of the cover is provided with an elongated transversely extending strip exit opening positioned forwardly of the platen as best shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 8 and is hinged at I8 to the forward end of the division plate 6. The rear end wall I9 is provided with a releaseable latch 20 for holding the cover in closed position. Since the casing structure is particularly described and claimed in co-pending application Serial Number 682,815, filed July 11, 1946, it need not be fully described herein.

Housed in the space or compartment between the division plate 6 and the platen 9 is a record supply pack S of record strips S zigzag-folded into the supply pack in well-known manner. There may be any desired number of record strips thus interfolded, three being shown. The assembly of record strips is led over a suitable guide at the rear end of the platen and drawn forwardly into writing position on the platen beneath the writing opening of the cover plate as shown .in

Fig. 2. The record strips will be interleaved with the carbon strips C over the writing platen so as to transfer inscriptions made upon the top record strip to the underlying record strips in wellknown manner. The carbon strips C pass from the supply roll I4 transversely across the platen and their free ends are clamped at the opposite .side of the platen unit 8 by means of a pivoted clamping bar 2I. As shown in Fig. 2, the forward ends of the record strips beyond the carbon strips are engaged by the strip forwarding mechanism indicated generally at 22. Each record strip S may be provided with appropriate blank forms for receiving inscriptions and divided at form length intervals by transverse longitudinally spaced transverse weakened severance lines S Also each form length of each record strip is provided with form aligning apertures S preferably arranged in twolongitudinal series in the respective strips in well-known manner as shown in Fig. 10. These form aligning apertures cooperate with the strip forwarding mechanism for starting the strips forwardly and for aligning them in writing position upon the platen.

As shown, the strip forwarding mechanism 22 is preferably in the form of an operating unit that can be installed in the register in operative position as a unit, and similarly removed for convenience in making repairs, adjustments and the like. The strip forwarding unit has a stationary supporting frame plate 23 extending transversely across the register and having opposite end supporting brackets 24 each provided with an attaching lug or plate 25. The supporting brackets 24 are preferably integral with the transverse frame plate 23 and bent substantially at right angles thereto. The attaching plates 25 are bent at right angles to the brackets 24 and are attached by means of bolts or other convenient attaching devices to the forward ends of the upper flanges of the Z-bars 5, and also to the forward end of the division plate 6. These attachments preferably form the sole means for attaching the strip forwarding mechanism or unit in operative posiion.

An operating rock-shaft 26 extends transversely of the register, being mounted for rocking rota tion in the supporting brackets 24 and having an operating etxensi0n'26' at one end lying outside of the supporting bracket and carrying an operating handle 21.

In addition to the stationary frame plate 23 the strip forwarding unit 22 also includes an oscillatory frame plate or carriage 28 for the forwarding pins. This frame plate has integral down-turned end supporting brackets 29 each having an opening through which the rock-shaft 26 passes, the frame plate 28 thus being supported for oscillatory forward and rearward movements upon the rock-shaft 26. As shown, the oscillatory frame plate 28 has upper and lower spaced plates 30 connected by a forwardly disposed plate 3|. Preferably as shown, these plates 30 and 3I are integral with each other, being bent into shape from a single plate, and they extend transversely of the register for substantially, the length of the strip forwarding unit 22. As best shown in Figs. 2 and 8, the plate 3I is positioned to form a movable closure member or cover for the forwardly disposed strip exit opening in the end plate I"! ,of the casing. When the frame plate or pin carriage 28 is in its normal position shown in Fig. 2, the closure member 3| is positioned over the strip exit opening at the inner side thereof but leaving a narrow opening above the upper plate 30 toper arrow-ee mi-tpassage ofthe record strips; When the pin carriageZfi is movedforwardlyasshown in Fig. 8 the closure member ismQVed-from its normal clos ing' position whilethestrip" forwarding pins 32, with the engaged forward ends of the" strips are moved into accessible position adjacent to theexit opening.

' Stripforwarding andaligning pins -32 are mounted inthe spaced upper and lower plates 33- or theosoiliatoryearriageorframe p1ate'28, Thereurge the pin upwardly into. projected operative position. Each forwarding and aligning pin. is. provided.substantiallyatits upper extremity with a. forwardly. disposedformationor projection 35 extending. forwardly a. short distance. from. the forward. body portionof the'pinand adapted to engage thestrips-v to hold themfrom; disengagement with the pins, and todeflect them downwardly; during advancementthereof in a manner described. in further detail-below. However-,. as shown inthe drawing, the upper, extremity of each pin. terminates. at its. rearward side substantially inline with the rear body portion of the; pin, there being no projecting part corresponding to that of the forwardside.

The oscillatory frame plate orpin carriage 2B is. held in its normal retracted operative position shown in Fig. 2 by means of a coil spring 36 mounted upon. the rock-shaft 26 andv having an extension engaging the lower plate 3110f the oscillatory frame plate and another extension abutting against. the-stationary supporting frame plate 23.. This spring is stressed so as to constantly urge the oscillatory frame plate into the position shown in Fig. 2 and to automatically return itto. this position. when, it has beenrocked forwardly to. advance the. recordstrips as later described.

Pinned upon the rock-shaft. 26 for rotation therewith is a, crank. arm 31. extending upwardly through an openingv 38. inthe lower plate 30 of the. oscillatory frame plate 28. The. opening 38 is'elongated as shown in Fig. 2 so as to permita certain limited amount of movement of the. crank arm 3'! without causing movement of, the oscillatory frame plate. A 1atch33 for holding the. oscillatory carriage or frame plate inits normal.retracted' position ispivoted at 40 to the underside of. the upper plate 39 having a locking, extension 41' extending through an opening or notch 42 in the upper edge of'the stationary frame platev 23 and havin a locking notch or lug engageable in looking relation with said stationary plate. The latch 39' is urged by a spring 43' into its normal locking position and is provided with an operatin plate or lug engageable with the upper end of the crank arm 31 so. as to release said latch by apreliminary movement of the rock-shaft as later more fully described. The latch spring 43 is preferably con iderably weaker than the pin carriage spring 36, so as to provide for'latch release before initial movement of the pin carriage 28.

As above mentioned the operating handle or Iever 2? is connected to the operating rock shaft '26- for manual operation of: the stripforwarding.

mechanism. The-connection of the operating:

handleto the rock-shaft embodies. a connecting. member 44, through a centrally disposed aperture This con-- necting member is securely and non-rotatably at in which-the-rock-shaft 26 extends.

tached to the rock -shaft in anyapproved manner, as for example bypressing it with' atight fit-0n: a. ribbed or knurled-partof the shaft extension .26. The connecting. member 44 as shown is substantially circular externally and is provided with a.

lug-45-projecting'radially from the exterior thereof; At: its lower extremity the operating handle 2*! isformed'with an-enlarged hub 26 having atits inner sidea depressed substantially circular seat in which the connecting member 4415. received. the connecting member thus providing a support rotatablysupporting the operating handle for limited free rotary movement independently-of the-'rock-shaft; This-free independent movement of the operating handle is limited by the lug 45. which runs in. an arcuate. slot or extension 41 opening intothe depressed seat of the hub 4B Thuathefree independent movement of the op- I era-ting handlellisliinitedin its forward move mentbyengagement of the lug 45 with one end opposi-te end of the arcuate slot. pendent or. lost motion connection of the operating handle to the rock-shaft permits the handle tomove downwardly to non-obstructing position from the operative position shown in Fig. 5 under certain. conditions as latter more fully described.

As best shown. in Figs. 5,. 6 and '7, a latch 48 for thedrawer. l is pivotally mounted upon and sup portedby the. rock-shaft extension 26 and isurged'. into locking engagement with a locking shoulder 49 on the; drawer. by means of a spiral springill; A latch operating screw 5| is thread-- ed into aboss integral. with the hub 46 of the operating handle. The. inner end of the. screw is. thus positionedtoengage with the rear extremityof the latch or latch lever 48 so as to release said. latch from. drawer locking. engagement when the operating handle is rocked forwardly to the post-- tion shown in 6. The drawer latch can be released independently of, the operating handle 21.. b inserting an appropriate instrument from. above into engagement with the rear end of the, latch thus moving the latch to release position shown. in Fig. 6. If it is desired to operate the stripforward-ing mechanism without at thesametime releasing the drawer latch, the operating;

screw. 5lmay be retracted so that it will not engage the latch when the handle is rocked forwardly.

As best show in Fig. '7, the hub 46 of the operating handle carries an outwardly projecting pin or lug; 52 and the cover section 2 carries on its. inner surface a cooperating bracket or lug 53positioned for engagement with the pin 52 when the cover is. lowered into closed position. The purpose of this arrangement together with the lost. motion connection of the operating handle 21 to the rock-shaft 25, is to permit the operating handle to move downwardly when the cover section. 2 is" raised and to automatically return the handle to operative position when the cover section is lowered. The operating handle when in its normal operative position shown in Fig. 5 obstructs the threading of'the carbon strips C into operative position between the record strips. It is therefore'desirable to adjust the operating handle to non-obstructing position. Thus, when the cover section 2 is raised to permit the carbon strips to be interleaved with the rec-ord strips, the cover lug 53 is withdrawn from supporting contact with the pin 52 and the operating handle 21 falls by gravity from its operative position shown in Fig. 5 due to the lost motion connection 45, 41 between the handle and the rock-shaft 26. When the cover is again lowered to closed position, the lug 53 on the cover engages the pin 52 to automatically position the handle 2'! again in its normal operative position as seen in Fig. 5.

In the operation of the improved strip forwarding mechanism, the record and carbon strips are interleaved in transfer relation on the platen 9 and the forwarding apertures S of the record strips engaged over the strip forwarding and aligning pins 32 as indicated in Fig. 2. The inscriptions are then entered on the top or original record strip and transferred to the underlying record strips in well-known manner. Upon completion of the inscriptions the operating handle 21 is rocked forwardly from the position shown in Fig. 5 to that shown in Fig. 6, thus swinging the oscillatory frame plate or pin carriage 28 forwardly together with the pins 32 and causing the record strips to be started or moved forwardly a short distance so that the forward ends of the strips are positioned in the exit opening at the front of the casing whereby they can be conveniently grasped by the operator and pulled forwardly.

During the initial movement of the rock-shaft 26 the crank arm 31 moves forwardly freely in the elongated slot 38 without corresponding movement of the oscillatory frame plate or pin carriage 28. During this preliminary movement the crank arm 37 engages the latch 33 rocking it on its pivot 40 and disengaging it from latching relation with the stationary plate 23. When the latch is thus released the crank arm engages the forward end of the elongated slot 38 thus swinging the pin carriage and pins 32 forwardly. Since the latch spring 43 is weaker than the carriage spring 36, movement of the carriage does not begin until the crank arm engages the end of the slot.

During this forwarding movement the forward projections or lugs 35 of the pins engage the record strips at the forward sides of the strip apertures S In this manner the strips are not only moved forwardly but the forward ends thereof are deflected downwardly slightly from the level of the platen as indicated in Fig. 8, the pin projections 35 preventin accidental disengagement of the strips with th pins during this movement. However, as soon as the operating pressure upon the operating handle 21 is released, the oscillatory frame plate begins to retract or move rearwardly under the influence of the spring 36, and the engagement of the forwarding pins with the strip apertures is released permitting the forward ends of the strips to spring upwardly under the natural resiliency of the paper to the full line position shown in Fig. 8,'the strips thus being entirely disengaged from the pins. Due to the fact that there are no projections at the upper rear portion of the pins corresponding to the projections 35 at the forward sides thereof, there is no obstruction by the pins to free disengagement of the strips therefrom. As the oscillatory frame plate 28 continues its rearward movement under the influence of the spring 36, the pins 32 will engage against the underside of the forward ends of the record strips to the rearward of the apertures S thereof from which they have just been released. During this return movement, the pins 32 will be retracted slightly against the stress of the springs 34 due to the fact that the outer end surfaces of the pins engage the under surface of the record strips which are supported against the under side of the overlying end plate 54 of the register. The operator then grasps the forward ends of the record strips and pulls the strips forwardly to bring the next successive set of blank forms into writing position on the platen and to bring the next successive pair of control apertures S into alignment with the pins 32. When the apertures reach alignment with the pins, the latter spring upwardly by action of the springs 34 and engage in said apertures, thus not only aligning the strips with each other but stopping them in correct writing position upon the platen. The inscribed set of record forms which have been pulled forwardly through the exit opening in the end plate 54 may then be severed on the weakened lines S using the straight edge 55 of the end plate 54 as a severing edge. The operation may then be repeated.

When the operating handle 21 is returned to its initial operative position as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 following a forwarding operation, the latch 39 is re-engaged in looking position with the stationary plate 23 under the action of the latch spring 43. The oscillatory frame plate and the pins are thus securely locked in their normal initial position with the oscillatory frame plate or pin carriage 23 in its final normal rearward position in which it is held in abutting relation with the stationary transverse plate 23. The reengagement of the latch in looking position may take place due to the engagement of the inclined or roundedforward end 41 with the edge of the latch opening 42; the re-engagement thus takes place automatically as the oscillatory frame plate reaches its initial position.

Since certain changes may be made in the above construction and different embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

The invention having thus been fully described, the following is claimed:

1. In an autographic register, in combination, a writing platen for record strips having a series of form aligning apertures therealong in longitudinal spaced relation, a casing having a strip exit opening positioned forwardly of said platen, a strip forwarding and aligning pin engageable in said aligning apertures, mounting means for mounting said pin adjacent to the forward end of said platen for forward and rearward oscillatory movements in a path extending forwardly and downwardly from the platen so as to forward the strips and to bend or deflect the forward end portions thereof downwardly adjacent to said exit opening and to release them upon reverse movements of the pin whereby the strips move from pin engagement by their ownresiliency, said pin mounting means including an oscillatory frame plate carrying said pin in its said oscillatory forward and rearward movements and for projection and retraction, and a closure plate on said pin mounting means integral with said frame plate and disposed at an angle thereto and normally positioned beyond the forward ends of the strips and over said strip exit opening in closing relation therewith, said closure plate being .moved away from its normal (closing position by forward movementof said .frameplatecarrying said pin with the engaged end portion of the strip substantially to said exit opening.

2. In an autographic register, in combination, a writing platen for record strips having a series of form :aligning apertures therealong in longitudinal spaced relation, a strip forwarding and aligning pin engageable in said aligning apertures, mounting means for mounting said pin adjacent to the forward end of said platen for forward and rearward oscillatory movements in a path extending forwardly and downwardly from the platen so as .to forward .thestrips and to bend or defiectthe'forward end portions thereof downwardly and ,to release them upon reverse movements of the pin whereby the strips move upwardly from. pin engagement by their own resiliency into position to be grasped, said pin having a strip engaging formation projecting forwardly at its forward upper part to positively engage the strips adjacent to the apertures thereof whereby the deflection of said forwardstrip ends is promoted, said pin at its rear upper part lying substantially within the line of the rear body portion thereof, and an oscillatory frame plate carrying said pin in its said oscillatory forward and rearward movements and for projection and retraction.

3. In an autographic register, in combination, a writing platen for record strips having aseries of form aligning apertures therealong in longitudinal spaced relation, a strip forwarding and aligning pin :engageable in said aligning apertures, mounting means for mounting said pin adjacent to the forward end of said platen for forward and rearward oscillatory movements to forwardthe strips, said pin mounting means including an oscillatory frame plate carrying said pin in its said oscillatory forward and rearward movements and for projection and retraction, 'a supporting frame plate attached to the register and forming a support'upon which said oscillatory-frame'plate is mounted for=oscillation, resilient means'urging said oscillatory frame plate into retracted operative position, an operating rockshaft-for'said oscillatory frame plate mounted on said supporting frameplate, an operating handle laterally adjacent to said platen and having a lost motion connection with said operating rockshaft topermitre'traction of the handle to nonobstructing position to facilitate adjustment of carbon strips on said platen, and a movably mounted cover for the register and platen and having operating connections with said operating handle to automatically move the latter into normally operative position when said cover is moved to closed position.

4. In an autographic register, in combination, av

writing platen for record strips having a series of form aligning apertures therealong in longitudinal spaced relation, a strip forwarding and aligning pin'engageable in saidaligning apertures,

mounting means for mounting said pin adjacent-.-;

to the "forward end of said platen for forward and rearward oscillatory movements in a path extending forwardly and downwardly from the plat en so as to forward the strips "and to bend or deflect the forwardendportions thereof downward-,

ly and to release them upon reverse movements of the pin whereby the strips move from pin engagement by their own resiliency, said pin having a strip engaging formation projecting forwardly at its forward part to positively engage the strips adjacent to the apertures thereof whereby the deflection of said forward strip ends is promoted, said pin mounting means including an oscillatory frame plate carrying said pin in its said oscillatory forward and rearward movementsand including spaced supporting plates mounting said pin for longitudinal projection and retraction, resilient means urging said oscillatory frame plate into retracted operative position, an operating rockshaft for said oscillatory frame plate, an operating handle laterally adjacent to said platen and having a 10st motion operating connection with said operating rock-shaft topermit retraction of the handle .to non-obstructing position to facilitate adjustment of carbon strips on said platen, anda movably mounted cover for the register and platen andhaving operating connections with said operating handle .to .automatically move said handle when retracted into said non-obstructing position, into normally operative position when said cover is moved to closed position.

5. In an autographioregistenin combination, a writing platen for recordistripshaving a series of form aligning apertures therealong in longitudinal spaced relation, .a stripfforwarding and aligning pin engageable insaid aligning apertures, an oscillating support mounting said pin for strip forwarding and aligning movements, resilient means urging said oscillating support into re-- tracted operative position, a latch movably mounted on said oscillating support for holding the latter in .its retracted operative position, an operating rock-shaft, a crank arm connected to said rock-shaft .to rock therewith and having a lost motion operating connection with said oscillating support, said'crank arm being positioned adjacent to said latchand cooperating to release it from its normallatching position by a preliminary movement .of said rock-shaft while said crank arm is ineffective through said lost motion connection .to movesaid oscillating support.

6. .In an autographic register, in combination, a writing platen for recordstrips having a series of form aligning apertures .therealong in longitudinal spaced relation, .a strip forwarding and aligning pin .engageable in said aligning apertures, an oscillatory frame plate shaped to form spaced supporting parts havingapertures in which said pin is mounted .for longitudinal projection andretraction, and resilient means .urging said pin into projectedpperativeposition.

'7. In an autograph'ic register, in combination, a writing platen for record strips having a series of form aligning apertures therealong in longitudinal spaced relation, a strip forwarding and aligning pin engageable in said aligning apertures, an oscillatory frame plate shaped .to form spaced supporting parts having apertures in which said pin is mounted for longitudinal projection and retraction, resilient ,means urging said pin into projectedwoperative position, and a supporting frame plate upon which said oscillatory frame plate is oscillatablysupported to provide .a forwarding unit attachable :to the register as a unit and similarly detachable therefrom.

:8. In an-autographic register, in combination, a writing platenforrecord strips having a series of form aligning apertures therealong in longitudinal spaced relation, a strip forwarding and aligning piniengageable insaidaligning apertures, an oscillatory frame plate shaped to form spaced supporting parts having apertures in which said pin is mounted for longitudinal projection and retraction, resilient means urging said pin into projected operative position, a supporting frame 11 plate upon which said oscillatory frame plate is oscillatably supported to provide a forwarding unit attachable to the register as a unit and similarly detachable therefrom, a latch mounted on said oscillatable frame plate and cooperating with said mounting frame plate to hold the former in retracted operative position, an operating rockshaft mounted on said mounting frame plate and having operating connections to release said latch and to move said oscillatable frame plate to forward the strips.

9. In an autographic register, in combination, a writing platen for record strips having a series of forms aligning apertures therealong in longitudinal spaced relation, a strip forwarding and aligning pin engageable in said aligning apertures, an oscillatory frame plate including spaced upper and lower plates in which said pin is supported for longitudinal projection and retraction, resilient means urging said pin into projected operative position, a latch mounted between said upper and lower spaced plates on said oscillatory frame plate for latching the latter in retracted operative position, and an operating shaft having operating connections with said latch and with said lower spaced plate of said oscillatory frame plate to sequentially release said latch and move said frame plate to forward the strips.

10. In an autographic register, in combination, a writing platen for record strips having a series of form aligning apertures therealong in longitudinal spaced relation, a strip forwarding and aligning pin engageable in said aligning apertures to forward the strips, an operating shaft operatively connected to move said pin to forward the strips, an operating handle laterally adjacent to said platen and having a lost motion connection with said operating shaft to permit retraction of the handle to non-obstructing position to facilitate adjustment of carbon strips on said platen, and a movably mounted :cover for the register and platen and having operating connections with said operating handle to automatically move said handle when retracted into said non-obstructing position, into normally operative position when the cover is moved to closed position.

11, In a drawer operating mechanism, in combination, an operating shaft, a drawer mounted for opening and closing movements, a latch lever for said drawer yieldingly urged to drawer latching position, said latch lever being pivotally mounted on and supported intermediate its ends by said operating shaft and having one end portion extending into latching engagement with the drawer, an operating handle connected for operation of said operating shaft, a latch operating lug on said operating handle positioned for engagement with the opposite end portion of said latch lever to release the same when the handle is operated, and means for adjusting said latch operating lug into operative and inoperative positions with reference to said latch lever.

12. In an autographic register, in combination, a writing platen for record strips having a series of form aligning apertures therealong in longitudinal spaced relation, a casing having a strip exit opening positioned forwardly of said platen. a strip forwarding and aligning pin engageable in said aligning apertures, an oscillatably mounted pin supporting carriage on which said pin is mounted for forward and rearward oscillatory movements with the carriage to forward the advance end portions of the strips for access through said exit opening, and a closure member normally positioned forwardly of the forward ends of the strips and over said strip exit opening and in closing relation therewith and operatively connected to said pin supporting carriage and moved by forward movement thereof away from its normal closing position to expose through said exit opening the advance ends of the strips forwarded by said pin.

13. In an autographic register, in combination, a writing platen for recordstrips having a series of form aligning apertures therealong in longitudinal spaced relation, a leasing having a strip exit opening positioned forwardly of said platen, a strip forwarding and aligning pin engageable in said aligning apertures, an oscillatably mounted pin support carriage on which said pin is mounted for forward and rearward oscillatory movements with the carriage to forward the advance end portions of the strips for access through said exit opening, spaced plates carried by said carriage and mounting said pin for longitudinal projection and retraction, yielding means urging said pin into projected position, and a closure plate on said carriage angularly disposed to said spaced plates and normally positioned forwardly of the forward ends of the strips and over said strip exit opening in closing relation therewith and movable with the carriage away from its normal closing position to expose through said exit opening the advance ends of the strips forwarded by said pin.

14. In an autographic register, in combination, a writing platen for record strips, a casing having a stripexit opening positioned forwardly of said platen, and strip forwarding and aligning mechanism including an oscillating carriage for forwarding said strips over said platen and to ad- Vance the forward end portions thereof for access through said exit opening and a closure member normally positioned beyond the forward ends of the strips and over said strip exit opening in closing relation therewith and operatively connected to said carriage and moved by forward movement thereof away from its normal closing position to expose through said exit opening advance ends of the strips.

LOUIS F. HAGEMAN. CHARLES J. MANUEL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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